"Maldives Urges India to Remove Military Presence"

Maldives' new President, Mohamed Muizzu, has requested India to withdraw its military presence from the country, fulfilling his campaign promise to alter the "India first" policy. Muizzu, who won the presidential election in September, aims to remove the small Indian military contingent of around 75 personnel. The move is seen as a shift towards China, as India and China compete for influence in the region. The president's office expressed hope that India would respect the democratic will of the Maldivian people. India's response to the request is yet to be known.